Direct MSN/ CNS/ CNL/Advanced Practice Nurse

[YellowMaskrosbarn]

Hello,

I read a post from 2011 about CNLs and whether getting a CNL degree was worth it. I was wondering to see if, in 2018, the opinions of those saying it may not be worth it, has changed?

Is getting a CNS or FNP more beneficial? Or would getting an ADN, gathering experience and then applying for an MSN be better? I currently have a BA in another field and cannot do the ABSN due to funding issues. I do want to become a nurse though and hope to either end up in a leadership role or in administration.

Any advice, experience, anything is appreciated from current CNSs, students and those who have worked with them. THANKS!

[WestCoastSunRN, MSN, CNS]

If your end goal is to be in nursing leadership/administration, I suggest you get nursing experience. While there may be direct entry pathways to advanced degrees in nursing leadership, I cannot imagine someone getting hired in a leadership role who has no real world nursing experience. I'm sure others can chime in that they've seen this happen, and I will just say for your own sake and the people you will lead in the future, please don't do that. Being respected as a leader (in any profession) goes a long way in guiding the success of that leader. A CNS (or nurse manager, educator, etc) who has never worked as a nurse, but is expected to be an expert leader for other nurses... well that doesn't jive well.

If you decide on NP practice, there are options for direct entry. And while I am not a huge fan of DE NP programs, there actually are people who do well as providers after having gone through. This could make sense, except that you say you want to be in leadership/administration. That's not what FNPs primarily do (though they certainly can do those things -- usually because they have ancillary experience/character traits). FNPs provide direct patient care. They are advanced clinicians in nursing. They are providers, not administrators. Perhaps another role FNPs can fill well, is that of educator -- in some instances. APRNs can teach (and many do) in a variety of settings.

I think you need to explore these roles more to better understand them.

[BCgradnurse, MSN, RN, NP]

It doesn't sound like you're really certain about what you want to do. Until you are, I wouldn't spend the time and money on any DE program. Why not get your ADN and work as a nurse for a bit while you figure things out? You could also explore MBA programs after getting your ADN, if you decide that administration is what you want.

Forget about a NP program unless you want to be a provider. FNP school, regardless of whether it's a DE or traditional program, does not give you the background or skills to be an administrator.